Winner of the Level Up edition of Big Brother Naija, Ijeoma Josephina Otabor, popularly known as Phyna, has shared details about her difficult upbringing, explaining that the name she was given at birth, Blessing, never truly resonated with her because of the experiences she had while growing up.
In a recent interview, the reality television star revealed that she gradually developed a dislike for the name, saying her early life did not reflect the meaning and positivity associated with it.
According to her, the emotional and personal struggles she encountered during childhood made it hard for her to feel connected to a name that symbolises favour and good fortune.
Phyna explained that much of her early life was shaped by emotional hardship and a deep desire to feel accepted by people around her. She said she frequently sought affection, understanding, and validation from family members, friends and even romantic partners as she got older.
However, many of those efforts, she recalled, often resulted in rejection or harsh criticism, leaving her feeling hurt and unappreciated. These repeated experiences, she said, made it difficult for her to see how the name Blessing reflected her reality at the time.
Reflecting on her upbringing, the former housemate described her childhood as challenging and filled with experiences that made her feel deprived of the support many young people receive from their families.
She explained that there were several opportunities and forms of encouragement that other teenagers enjoyed but were largely absent in her life.
According to her, growing up under those circumstances created feelings of isolation and frustration, although she maintained a strong belief that her future would eventually improve.
Speaking further about the name given to her by her parents, Phyna said she eventually began to resent it because it constantly reminded her of what she believed was missing from her life at the time.
She explained that whenever she reflected on her experiences, she struggled to see how the name Blessing applied to her situation.
“The name given to me by my parents is Blessing. My reason for hating that name was that I don’t see a sense of blessing in my life,” she said.
According to her, the feeling was intensified by the fact that she often felt like she was constantly seeking affection from others, whether in friendships, family relationships or romantic connections.
The reality star added that there were moments when people even used her name in a negative way, which further deepened her frustration with it.
“It felt like I was always begging for love — family love, friendship, even in relationships. Even, in fact, dem don use am curse me,” she said, describing how the experiences affected her emotional wellbeing.
Phyna explained that the repeated disappointments she encountered during her formative years shaped how she viewed herself and her place within her family and social circle.
Despite the painful memories associated with her childhood, Phyna said she never allowed the difficulties she faced to completely destroy her dreams. According to her, she always believed that she was destined for something greater and often voiced that belief to people around her, even during moments when she was being criticised or punished.
She recalled telling members of her extended family that they would one day see her on television and witness her success.
“Growing up, I would always tell my aunts, even when they beat or maltreated me, that they would watch me on television and I would have money,” she said.
That prediction eventually became a reality when Phyna rose to national prominence after winning the Level Up season of Big Brother Naija in 2022. Her victory on the reality television show brought her widespread recognition and opened the door to several opportunities within Nigeria’s entertainment industry.
Since then, she has remained active in the media space, securing endorsement deals, appearing in various entertainment programmes and maintaining a strong presence on social media platforms.
